Want to avoid paying $15+ to park at Chicago’s great museums and attractions? Check out these insider tips to some of Chicago’s best parking secrets.
*Shedd, Adler and Field Museum Campus – If you get there early (before 10:30am), then you can almost always find a metered spot. Drive past the normal parking and head toward the Adler. Turn right on Solidarity Drive, and find metered parking spots on both sides of the street.
*Art Institute – There is metered parking on S. Columbus Dr. directly behind the modern wing. You can only stay a few hours without feeding the meter again, but, honestly, my kids only have a two-hour attention span anyway.
*Museum of Science and Industry – Don’t be fooled by the parking signs telling you to take the 57th St. exit from Lakeshore Dr. Instead, exit onto Science Dr. from Lakeshore. There is a HUGE metered lot, and an entrance to the museum.
*Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – There is usually plenty of free parking along Cannon Dr. If you can’t find a free spot on the street, then try Diversey Harbor (directly across from the museum’s entrance). During the off-season, from late fall through early spring, the harbor parking lot is free for museum attendees.
*Navy Pier - Every winter Navy Pier offers discounted parking rates. Check their website for details.
